A String of Pearls

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Luke 14:1 "The LORD Comes With A Strong Hand" (April 19)

The Hebrews have been shepherds since the days of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.  They know their sheep.  This pastoral scene is a very familiar one.  100 sheep in Palestine belong to a rather wealthy shepherd.  The shepherd counts his flock at night's end and notices one is missing.  Easy to get lost.  99 present. The shepherd searches for the lost sheep who represents a lost sinner like the tax collectors.  It's all about the search and how valuable that one sheep is.  You are valuable beyond comparison to God.  He will go to great length to find your heart and lift you up on His Shoulders and carry you home.  May the Hand of God grace your problems, your lostness, your wandering this day.  "Behold, the LORD God shall come with a Strong Hand...He will feed you like a shepherd.  He will gather the lambs with His Arm, and carry them on His Shoulders."  Isaiah 40:11
Posted by Bev Brandon

12 comments:

  1. annetteApril 19, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Lost and Found

    I used to have a cat. I'm not that fond of them, (I actually have one now, too, but this was a different little guy.) I think the reason I don't like them that much is they are sneaky but anyway, I had a cat which I pretty much just tolerated. One day, he got sick, and we took him to the vet numerous times, and the cat would come back around and then something else would happen and he'd be at death's door again. After a while, I realized I really loved this cat and found myself really rooting for him to make it. I rejoiced when he made it and was saddened when he would get sick. In some ways, he became more valuable to me the more we went through with him.

    I think that's kind of like God with His lost sheep. When they return, there is joy among the angels--moreso than the ones that stayed in the fold. He loves us all beyond measure, but there is something strangely sweet about a loved one coming home.

    We are so well loved.

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  2. --micheleApril 19, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    Thanks for the encouraging words Bev and Annette!

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  3. Mary LouApril 19, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    After reading what Annette wrote I have something that I want to share that is something along the same lines. My son who made a profession of faith as a child but then made some really BAD choices as a young adult, is turning around and this mama is rejoicing. I suppose the angels are rejoicing more, but I don't see how.

    He wrote on FB today..."Funny, no matter how far you walk away from the Lord, He does not make you walk the same distance to get back to Him. All you have to do is make the turn and He is right there.

    so, this mama is crying tears of joy and doing a praise dance right along with God and the angels. How I am praying that he stays close and doesn't stray that far ever again.
    Thanks for what you wrote Bev and Annette...helped to clarify what I was feeling when I read what he wrote on FB today. Blows my socks off and blesses me and oh, how I praise Him. IF he were ever to walk the aisle again because he felt like he needed to...you had better believe that this would be one shouting Mama praising God. My grandmother shouted when my mama accepted the Lord and I fully well understand why she did.!! He must do the same thing for all of us. Oh, what a blessing this is for me this week leading up to Easter.

    Blessings on each one of you as we walk toward the celebration of the Resurrection...It's Friday but Sunday is coming.!!!!

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  4. annetteApril 19, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    Such a sweet word about your son, Mary Lou. I can imagine your joy when you read his status! And today you read that angels are rejoicing with you--how loving of God to ordain your reading today to tell you He's even more joyous than you, if that could be possible. Encourages me to keep praying for loved ones who've lost their way!

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  5. twinkleApril 19, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    "there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

    That's a beautiful thought, joy in heaven.

    Wonder what that looks like?
    Wonder what that sounds like?

    Joy in all it's heavenly drama. Songs in angelic rhythm, instruments proclaiming.

    What a wonderful God we serve who rejoices over even just one sinner who repents.

    Our God cleanses the vilest sinner. And carries him/her on his shoulders.

    As a parent, I can understand this deep love for a wandering child. May God draw prodigals back to His love.

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  6. Angela BaylisApril 19, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Thanks for sharing today, you guys! Mary Lou, I can't imagine how that must have felt like to see his status update. God's timing... not ours. What a sweet gift! Annette, I can SO relate! That made me miss my Golden Retriever who helped me at one of my lowest seasons.

    I go nuts when I lose anything! It's really kind of crazy how I can't let it go. I'm not sure if it's because I'm from such a big family (7 kids) and there was chaos and stuff everywhere. I had to have things orderly even as a little girl. I sense the urgency here. I can't imagine my precious child being lost. Don't you love how I say "orderly" when I mean I am a control freak? I'm reminded of God's perfect timing. Let us keep planting seeds so the people around us will want what we have! Let's keep Believing our lost loved ones will be found!

    What do Easter Eggs and Easter Egg Hunts have to do with Easter again? Hmmm I can't remember!

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  7. Angela BaylisApril 19, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    p.s. Sorry I'm so weird you guys! I'm a little embarrassed about my last question. Thanks for loving me anyway! :)

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  8. Mary LouApril 19, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    An answer Angie...as far as I am concerned Easter eggs and Easter egg hunts have NOTHING to do with Easter, the last time I checked. You are not weird, sweet girl...it just crossed your mind and you asked the question.Have a tendency to do that myself....

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  9. Bev Brandon @ The FrayApril 19, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Angie, I smiled when I read your last sentence and thought: that's the prophet in her coming out.

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  10. Bev Brandon @ The FrayApril 19, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Mary Lou

    Not only was your son's Facebook comment cause for rejoicing, the weightiness of what he said was felt all the way over here in ATX. Touched me. Rejoicing with you!

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  11. Bev Brandon @ The FrayApril 19, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    This Easter week as
    we worship and wonder and wait
    for Him to rise up, let us here ...
    ReJOIcE with those who rejoice &
    WeEp with those who weep here.
    Because He rose from the dead
    It changes everything for us!
    Praying for each of you
    this Holy Week.

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  12. Bev Brandon @ The FrayApril 19, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    PS Mary Lou - I want to add that his comment was full of HOPE. And, that is so good!

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